Beaumont mayor begins talks with Mardi Gras group

The colorful lights of a ride are reflected in a puddle on opening night of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday 2/8/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise

The colorful lights of a ride are reflected in a puddle on opening night of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday 2/8/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise

Photo: Ryan Pelham / Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise

Photo: Ryan Pelham / Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise

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The colorful lights of a ride are reflected in a puddle on opening night of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday 2/8/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise

The colorful lights of a ride are reflected in a puddle on opening night of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur on Thursday. Photo taken Thursday 2/8/18 Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise

Photo: Ryan Pelham / Ryan Pelham/The Enterprise

Beaumont mayor begins talks with Mardi Gras group

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Beaumont and the Mardi Gras organizers who are pulling out of Port Arthur have taken the next step toward making a relationship official.

Mayor Becky Ames met with Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas on Tuesday morning to learn more about what it is looking for in a host city.

She said there is still a lot more planning necessary before any approval could be given for the event.

But Tuesday’s meeting affirmed both groups are interested in continuing conversations. Ames has previously expressed optimism about the event coming to Beaumont.

She said she also doesn’t anticipate Mardi Gras asking for any financial help from the city.

Event chairman Tim Romero said the organization didn’t have a comment on current discussions.

The organization previously explored the possibility of a relationship with the city of Port Neches at Riverfront Park, but those conversations ended late last week. Mardi Gras organizers on Thursday asked the city to remove the issue from the council’s agenda and the council ultimately voted against allowing the event to come to the city.

Organizers cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for opting out of future discussions.

Port Neches residents and council members at a previous meeting voiced concerns about parking, a possible parade route and how alcohol will be handled.

Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas is looking for a more central event location after putting on the festival in Port Arthur for nearly three decades.

Romero said declining attendance and revenues for the past 10 years cause the organization to begin looking to a different location.